Dr. Carissa Ferguson-thomas, LCSW
Licensed in New Jersey · 22 years in practice
Dr. Carissa Ferguson-thomas is a licensed clinical social worker with over two decades of experience.
License and registration
- Psychologist, New Jersey
- 35SI00552800 · expires June 2027
- LCSW, Pennsylvania
- CW014630 · expires February 2027
- NPI
- 1669533444 · national provider identifier
- Years in practice
- 22
- Languages
- English
Details are as listed on the therapist's public professional profile. You can check any license with the state board and any NPI with the national registry.
About Carissa
Dr. Carissa Ferguson-thomas is a licensed clinical social worker with over two decades of experience. She trained in clinical psychology and social work and brings both perspectives to her practice.
Her work centers on helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and relationship struggles. She uses straightforward talk and practical steps to help clients get through hard moments. Her background includes roles in clinical settings where she supported people with panic, phobias, obsessive thoughts, and trauma.
Background and approach
She practices using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) alongside a flexible, person-centered style. That means she adapts tools to fit each person rather than using one fixed method. In sessions she focuses on clear goals and small, doable changes.
She helps people notice thinking patterns, test new behaviors, and build coping skills for day-to-day life. Conversations are paced to match each person’s needs and readiness. Dr.
Ferguson-thomas pays attention to relationships and family dynamics as they affect mood and stress. She also addresses parenting concerns, caregiver strain, intimacy-related problems, and issues like guilt, shame, or isolation. The aim is to strengthen problem-solving and communication skills.
She offers sessions by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different schedules. People can expect a warm, nonjudgmental tone and practical plans they can try between sessions. The work is collaborative, with progress tracked against goals set together.
Focus areas and approaches
Everything Carissa lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Grief
- Depression
- Trauma and abuse
- Intimacy-related issues
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Coping with life changes
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Divorce and separation
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Infidelity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Phobias
- Postpartum depression
- Self-love
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
Approaches Carissa names
Naming an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist lists and does not check training records.
Online support
How CBT and online sessions work together
Dr. Ferguson-thomas uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help people identify unhelpful thoughts and try new behaviors. CBT breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and actions so someone can test small changes and track what helps. It is often used for anxiety, panic, depression, and stress-related problems.Her approach is also person-centered and trauma-informed, meaning she adapts techniques to each person's pace and experiences. She collaborates with clients to choose which methods fit their goals and comfort level, adjusting plans as they make progress.
Online formats offer practical flexibility. Video calls allow face-to-face work when visual cues are useful. Phone sessions can be easier when a session needs less bandwidth or a shorter check-in. Live chat and text-based messaging make it possible to check in between sessions, share quick updates, or work through homework when schedules are tight.
Across formats, the focus is on clear goals, usable coping skills, and regular review of what is helping. The therapist will work with each person to match the approach and format to their needs, goals, and daily routine.
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Questions people ask
What kinds of concerns does she help with?
She helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma and relationship or family difficulties. Additional focuses include parenting strain, caregiver stress, anger, and issues like guilt, shame, or infidelity.
What is her therapeutic style like?
She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in a person-centered, flexible way. Sessions focus on practical steps, thinking patterns, and behavior changes that can help day-to-day functioning.
How long has she worked in this field?
She has 22 years of professional experience in clinical settings supporting people with anxiety, panic, OCD, and mood concerns.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and maintains professional registration as a New Jersey psychologist and a Pennsylvania LCSW. Her practice is based in New Jersey.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different needs and schedules.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session according to the therapists availability.
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